I have always dreamed of owning a double. I've looked and researched a little. I don't just want one to admire and occasionally shoot but would love to hunt with one. Realistically the chances of getting to hunt in Africa are very slim. I am one of those 63% of Americans that lives paycheck to paycheck. Im getting to the point financially that I can afford things that years ago seemed out of reach. Started my on Gunsmith business and its doing well. With that said what would you all suggest for an inexpensive or fairly priced DR in 300 or 375 H&H. Either one of those calibers will take any game in North America including a Grizzly. I don't need a 400 NE or any of the rip your rotator cuff calibers haha! What guns should I be looking for that would be under $10k. Even if I eventually find one that needs alot work I am not scared as long as its bones are still good

A Chapuis in 9,3x74r can be had for under $5k. Many say the ballistics are just under that of a .375 H&H. I’ve got one, but have yet to hunt with it.

I believe the Sabatti in the same caliber is around $3k, but the early ones were of questionable regulation. I don’t know about the current iteration.

quote:

Originally posted by DCS Member:
A Chapuis in 9,3x74r can be had for under $5k. Many say the ballistics are just under that of a .375 H&H.

Totally agree. Very nice gun in a great flanged (rimmed) calibre.

I don't know about the "under $5K" part these days.

+1 on the Chapuis in 9,3x74.... got mine in a group buy from dale nygaard.... $6500. would buy mine and 10 boxes of hornady, 2-3 boxes of seller & belliot, lots of empty brass and quick detach scope mounts...rifle has been fired less than 300 rounds... UGEX model, blue with engraving...

I have three double rifles-a 375 Flanged, a 450-400, and a 470 NE. One is a Merkel and the other two are Searcys. The Searcys are both crazy accurate. I've hunted with all three doubles in Africa, and have taken dangerous and other plains game with them. You might contact Butch Searcy in Boron, California and talk to him about your itch. The phone call and conversation are free.

quote:

Originally posted by Use Enough Gun:
I have three double rifles-a 375 Flanged, a 450-400, and a 470 NE. One is a Merkel and the other two are Searcys. The Searcys are both crazy accurate. I've hunted with all three doubles in Africa, and have taken dangerous and other plains game with them. You might contact Butch Searcy in Boron, California and talk to him about your itch. The phone call and conversation are free.

I appreciate that thank you

If you're just looking for a "fun" double, don't sell the old BPE crowd short. I have two doubles in such configurations, a 577/500 no.2, and a 450 3-1/4". Not being nitro proofed seems to drop the value to less than half of a more modern gun. Both mine are hammer guns with the jones underlever. Both of them have been used for everything from moose to whitetail and quite a few bears. I have really enjoyed sourcing the components to reload for them and researching for all the old loading data. I have learned to paper-patch home cast loads for decent accuracy, and my home brewed loads just take the satisfaction to a whole new level.
For Nitro proofed, the 9.3x74r is usually the most common and economical as prices really jump once you get bigger than that.

You might want to look Chapuis new double that only comes in 375 H&H, it can be had for right at $10,000!

Or, you could buy my couple year old Chapuis Brousse in 450/400 for around 9 + shipping. Just in case.
Cheers
Rick

The first one I owned was a J Just and was bought for well below 10k —for 7.7k if I remember. I have owned Kreighoff 9.3x74 that I dearly wished I had back, and a conversion gun I had in a 45/70 that was under 3k—I will throw in a agree on the chapuis it’s a fine gun for the price—most I’ve shot were well regulated

Ed

Keep your eyes open on places like the Holts Auction. They often have some pretty nice double rifles, often German, Belgian or Austrian manufacture with barrels one above the other for really pretty reasonable prices. And calibres such as the 7x65r and 8x57r will do pretty much anything that a 30-06 will do. Also the likes of New England Custom Guns have such things available.